Mutiliated Bodies found in Trash Bags in Residential Neighborhood - Mexico - image via Borderland Beat
From Borderland Beat: Seven Dismembered (Feet, Hands and Head) bodies were discovered, stuffed into trash bags:
The bodies were found stuffed into 13 black garbage bags and dumped in a residential area, authorities said. The victims were dressed in police uniforms but authorities confirmed none of the people killed were actually officers.
Following those found in Sinaloa, which is on the Pacific Coast, below Tucson, AZ, violence in that area continued on Saturday when “seven people were gunned down in Badiraguato, a city in the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa, state prosecutors said.” (Fox News Latino).
It was on Saturday that another Mexican Journalist was found missing, along with her two year old son, reporter Stephania Cardoso, 30, covers the Zocalo, Mexico police beat.. According to “Borderland Beat” Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for journalist. One might also add – anyone caught in the crosshairs of the drug/turf/wars that continue to rip through the nation to our south. The violence continues, and the U.S. State Department issues this warning February 8th 2012
(PDF)
The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Mexico. General information on the overall security situation is provided immediately below. For information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below.
This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated April 22, 2011 to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.
General Conditions:
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes.
Nevertheless, U.S. travelers should be aware that the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter TCOs which engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. The TCOs themselves are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. As a result, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country and can occur anywhere. U.S. citizens have fallen victim to TCO activity, including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery.
(Continue Reading visit U.S. State Departmenthere)
Understanding that the Government of Mexico has continued to receive Aid from the U.S. – in billions to combat the “violence” – The 2013 budget for foreign aid is beefed up slightly from 2012 (figures shown) here begins by offering Mexico 35 million in aid: “The United States will continue its partnership with Mexico and expand mutual cooperation under the Obama Administration’s Merida Initiative four pillar approach to address security risks from drug trafficking, violent crime, and rule of law capacity in Mexico. Specifically, ESF funding will focus on strengthening and institutionalizing reforms to improve the rule of law and respect for human rights and build strong and resilient communities able to withstand the pressures of crime and violence. A more stable Mexico will increase the United States' national security, unlock economic growth potential, and protect U.S. citizens along
our shared border.” Yet another $199 Million to specifically address the dismantling of organized crime, 14.4 Million (split between Colombia, El Salvador, and Mexico) to beef up their forces, Global Health Program 3,.55 Million, “Development Assistance” 25 Million, Economic Support: 18 million and on and on, including fund Border Environment Cooperation Commission.
Understanding that foreign aid is essential in some cases, (famine, aid for victims of natural disasters, cash for countries that are hostile (Pakistan), yet we throw money at them anyhow, in a good will gesture, (not a bad idea, nor a good idea –one of those one has to sit on the fence over) – However, with Mexico – it goes without saying – as NAFTA has allowed for the improvement of jobs, in agriculture among other industries, including the auto industry (check the country of origin every time you buy produce – strawberries to tomatoes), therefore, one has to ask why we continue to give Mexico huge sums of money for a “drug” war, they cannot seem to control, if anything else, the more we provide, the worse the situation becomes.
Cut the cash, put our troops on the border, force the drug cartels out of business, (American’s are nothing if not entrepreneurs, they’ll figure out a way to produce what they need and take their chances with the law) – this would cut down on illegal immigration (those seeking political asylum or entrance would have to take the embassy approach), and the option for those who are below the border to set up shop here – we certainly don’t lack for drug dealers.
Additionally, although the State Department does not specifically argue against travel to resort areas, it should be understood, that these wars are taking place across the country – random murders, kidnappings (which have spilled into the U.S. via Arizona), and the like – might not be the way one would like to remember a vacation – Head to beaches, or designations in the U.S.
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